Medical Diagnosis: Questions to Ask
Author: Sibyl Day

When you are under the care of a doctor and especially if
you are hospitalized, you will want to keep fully informed
about your illness and your recovery options. It is a good
idea to have an on-going discussion with your medical
providers about your diagnosis, the projected treatment,
anticipated recovery time, and recovery process. We
recommend that you don't try to rely on your memory--write
down all the information and keep it in a safe place. And
allow a friend of family member to help you listen when you
are consulting with your medical providers.

If you are hospitalized, it is also important to clarify
which doctor is in charge of your care—many patients
have had the experience of each doctor deferring to another
doctor and you don't know which doctor is the one to ask
about the next step in your treatment. Ask the doctor who
admitted you if he is in charge of your care or if another
physician is the "lead doctor" on your case.

You can become better informed about your illness and
treatment options by asking your medical staff for
information, and by using other reliable sources. To check
on the most up-to-date treatment recommendations based on
the latest scientific evidence, go to
http://www.guideline.gov. This free information is made
available by the National Guidelines Clearinghouse.

Also, you will want to ask your doctor to explain your
diagnosis, in simple terms. While there certainly is a
very detailed medical description with lots of jargon you
can't understand unless you work in the medical field,
there will also be a rather simple explanation in layman's
terms that describes your particular condition. Be sure
you ask questions until you understand the explanations.

Find out the prognosis for recovery, maintenance, or
remission. It helps to know if it is typical to feel much
better in two weeks, or if it is more likely to take two
months. It may be that therapy or rehabilitation will be
part of the recovery process.

If the disease is not curable, it may be one that can be
managed or maintained, such as diabetes. Also, it is now
fairly common to hear that a particular cancer is not in
"remission" but that the person is managing the disease by
using some form of long-term chemotherapy.

You will want to know if the condition is hereditary, so
you can inform children or other relatives if there is a
need for them to be tested, or to make lifestyle changes.

A lot of times there are several treatment options that can
be considered. Seek out information about the risks and
benefits of each of them. Be sure to ask your doctor to
explain all treatment options, and why a particular option
is being recommended for your case. Remember, you can
always get a second medical opinion so that you can feel
more comfortable that you are making an informed choice.

In some cases, your best hope for recovery is through a
clinical trial. Ask your doctor if he or she can research
to see if there are any clinical trials for which you would
qualify, even if they are not located in your area. You
could choose to re-locate temporarily for the purpose of a
promising clinical trial.

In summary, if you understand your medical diagnosis and
the various treatment options, including risks and
benefits, you can make an informed decision about your
care. Sometimes, just understanding the details about your
diagnosis and what will happen now and in the future can be
very helpful.


About the Author:

SmallTown Duo, owned by Sibyl Day and Mary Benson,
specializes in medical and legal books for consumers. They
publish a popular book called "What Did the Doctor Say? A
Guide for Leaving the Hospital." The book covers topics
such as questions to ask about your diagnosis, medications,
doctor visits, and avoiding common medical errors. If you
or someone you know will soon be in the hospital, this
book helps with every step of the way. For more
information, visit their website at
http://www.SmallTownDuo.com .